RACHID TAHA
"Olé Olé" (1995)

A refreshing blend of modern electronic/rock and traditional Algerian music, "Olé Olé" successfully combines Algerian and English lyrics into a new and interesting style. "Nokta" captures the blend of modern Algerian rock at its best, while "Non Non Non" is an easily accessible anthemic piece of world music, reminiscent of Ricky Martin, with a healthy dose of electronica thrown in. An over-reliance on repetitive motifs used to heighten Taha's pleas in such tracks as "Boire" and "Comme Un Chien" stops "Olé Olé" from complete crossover success, however. A dose of surf rock in "Jungle Fiction" furthers Taha's range while providing a refreshing change to the common thread of dance and traditional styles. Taha's liner notes to each song (in both Algerian and English) make interesting reading, but are no less illuminating than the eclectic mix of musical and cultural influences at work throughout "Olé Olé".

Brendan Swift
"All Music Guide"

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This album was released in 1996, two years before the superb and rootsy "Diwân", and the signs for "Olé Olé" are apparent from the cover, where the singer appears with trendily bleached hair. Formerly in the band CARTE DE SÉJOUR (whose album had been produced by ex-GONG guitarist Steve Hillage), Rachid Taha can be political but here also tries to play heavily to the Euro-dance crowd. Heavy on the beats, and ultimately light on the Arabic content, this CD is an attempt to win as wide an audience as possible. For example, check out the surf music references on "Jungle Fiction". The disc is not without its moments (indeed, "Kelma" is a song ahead of its time as far as crossover goes), and with Hillage behind the board there is some sense of adventure. But while perfectly enjoyable, it's not Taha at his best.

Chris Nickson
"Amazon.com"